Employee Relations Advisor

We’re Pentland Brands; a dynamic, global family business, and proud owners and licensees of many iconic active and footwear brands. With a community of over 1,300 team members worldwide, we embrace diversity and inclusion, and champion growth and development. Our success is built on teamwork, courage, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

WHAT’S THE MISSION FOR THIS ROLE?

As our Employee Relations (ER) Advisor, you’ll be the first point of contact for managing ER matters across our Blackburn and Washington distribution centres. You’ll provide trusted guidance to managers on all aspects of employee relations, from day-to-day queries to formal cases, ensuring that we maintain fair, consistent, and legally compliant practices. This role is pivotal in supporting a positive working environment across both sites.

WHAT DOES THIS ROLE DO?

As our ER Advisor you will be responsible for:

• Employee Relations Case Management: acting as the first point of contact for ER queries across both distribution centres.
• Managing a range of cases from informal concerns through to formal grievances, disciplinaries, and long-term absence management.
• Supporting and advising managers to ensure cases are handled fairly, consistently, and in line with policy and legislation

• Manager Support & Guidance: attending meetings and hearings to advise managers on process, best practice, and potential outcomes (including dismissals).
• Coaching managers to build capability in handling ER issues.

• Policy & Process Compliance: ensuring all ER activity is carried out in line with company policies, employment law, and ACAS guidance.
• Keeping accurate and confidential records of ER cases.

• Collaboration & Escalation: working closely with the HR Business Partner, escalating complex or high-risk matters as required.
• Working with the wider HR Team to ensure consistent approaches across UK sites.

• Continuous Improvement: Identifying opportunities to improve ER processes and ways of working.
• Sharing feedback and insights to help shape policy development and manager training.

WHAT DO I BRING TO THE ROLE?

To stand out in this role, you should have the following skills and experience:

• Proven experience in an ER Advisor or HR Advisor role with significant ER case management exposure.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and best practice.
• Confidence in managing disciplinary and grievance processes from end-to-end.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and coach managers.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise a busy caseload across multiple sites.
• Flexibility to travel regularly between Blackburn and Washington distribution centres.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

• Competitive Salary + discretionary bonus
• 25 Days Holiday: Increases with length of service and the option to purchase additional days to suit your needs.
• Discounts: Brand discounts (including friends and family and JD Sports), Sample Sales, and other retail discounts and perks.
• Family-Friendly Benefits: Generous enhanced parental leave policies
• Health Perks: Choose from a variety of health-related perks including medical cash plan, critical illness cover, life assurance, gym and fitness discounts, dental insurance, eye care, and health screening to maintain your wellbeing.
• Travel Perks: Take advantage of our season ticket loan, cycle to work schemes, electric car schemes, and discounts on home charging units to support eco-friendly commuting.
• Flexible Working: We offer hybrid working and flexible working hours, allowing you to start your day earlier or later to help with commute costs or personal commitments.
• Chance to join our Charity, D&I and Sustainability employee networks.

As an equal opportunity employer, we’re committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive culture across our business, stores, and office environment.

We want you to live our company principles, bringing a strong consumer focus, while always looking for ways to improve and grow in your role. Take ownership of your work and be proactive in solving problems whilst communicating openly and treating everyone with respect and kindness. And, of course, let your creativity shine by bringing your unique style and individuality to the Pentland Brands Team.